together, better than any practice we’ve ever had. Better than when we made our CD. Way better than the Battle of the Bands—and there was no barfing tonight. It’s like we really connected and then we got energized by the crowd. Their reaction to our music was unbelievable! I had in no way expected them to be so responsive. It was very cool. I still get goose bumps to think about it. We did an encore. Fortunately, we had a song all planned. (Okay, we had a feeling it could happen—or at least we hoped it would.)
Then after we finished, Pastor Tony spoke for a bit. He didn’t talk for long, but what he said was straight from the heart. He even got a little teary eyed when he read a letter that Clay had written to him a few months before the shooting. I’m pretty sure at least half the audience was in tears by the time he finished. Then he invited Redemption back up, and we played this song that he’d asked us to end with. It’s a song Clay wrote before he was killed. We could barely keep from choking up while we sang. Really powerful lyrics.
CLAY’S SONG
Worthless, useless, piece of trash
My life was ruined in a flash
Strung out, hung out, left for dead
Till I heard what Jesus said:
“I’m the truth, the life, the way
Listen to the words I say,
Only I can set you free
To reach God, come through Me.”
So I fell down on my knees
Here’s my life, Lord, take it please.
Worthless, useless, piece of trash-
God redeemed me in a flash!
Strung out, hung out, Jesus died
On a cross, He sanctified
On His head He took my sin
Just to make me clean again
Life will never be the same
God has given me His name
Everything and all I do
My Lord, I give my all to you.
Then Greg, our youth pastor, came up and invited people who wanted to show that they were committing or recommitting their lives to Christ to raise their hands. Now, I know we were supposed to have our heads bowed and not looking around, but I couldn’t help myself, plus I had a good vantage point up on the stage. But in a way Iwas glad that I did because it looked like nearly everyone raised their hands. It was totally amazing.
Now here’s the best part of the whole night-even better than how fantastic it felt to play to a crowd who by all appearances loved us. Among the kids at the concert (and a lot of them were friends from school) I had spotted Marissa and Jake standing with Cesar, and I’m guessing he brought them. AND when Greg made his invitation, all three of them raised their hands.
Now, I’m not positive this really means something. It’s entirely possible they were just reacting to peer pressure and didn’t want to feel left out for being the only ones not responding. Only God knows for sure. But I am believing they meant it. And I’m praying for all of them—that they’ll take it seriously.
It’s funny though, because not long ago I really wanted school to be over and done with. But now, after seeing all these particular kids raise their hands, I’m not so sure. It makes me kind of sad to think we’ve got less than two weeks left. I guess we’ll have to think of some fun things to do with everyone this summer. Something to encourage them to hang in there. Maybe Greg will have some ideas.
I got to talk to Josh and Caitlin for a little while after the concert. They were both headingback to their colleges since it’s the week before finals, and it sounds as if they’ve got a lot of studying to do. In light of that, I’m really impressed that they came at all. I couldn’t help but watch them as they spoke to each other. I was worried they might act kind of stiff and formal, considering what they went through last winter. But to my relief they acted like old friends. They even hugged each other (and me) when it was time to go. I’m so glad Josh isn’t mad about her breaking up with him anymore.
“Can you believe it’s been two years since we lost Clay?” he said to Caitlin.
“In some ways it seems like it happened just a few weeks
Then after we finished, Pastor Tony spoke for a bit. He didn’t talk for long, but what he said was straight from the heart. He even got a little teary eyed when he read a letter that Clay had written to him a few months before the shooting. I’m pretty sure at least half the audience was in tears by the time he finished. Then he invited Redemption back up, and we played this song that he’d asked us to end with. It’s a song Clay wrote before he was killed. We could barely keep from choking up while we sang. Really powerful lyrics.
CLAY’S SONG
Worthless, useless, piece of trash
My life was ruined in a flash
Strung out, hung out, left for dead
Till I heard what Jesus said:
“I’m the truth, the life, the way
Listen to the words I say,
Only I can set you free
To reach God, come through Me.”
So I fell down on my knees
Here’s my life, Lord, take it please.
Worthless, useless, piece of trash-
God redeemed me in a flash!
Strung out, hung out, Jesus died
On a cross, He sanctified
On His head He took my sin
Just to make me clean again
Life will never be the same
God has given me His name
Everything and all I do
My Lord, I give my all to you.
Then Greg, our youth pastor, came up and invited people who wanted to show that they were committing or recommitting their lives to Christ to raise their hands. Now, I know we were supposed to have our heads bowed and not looking around, but I couldn’t help myself, plus I had a good vantage point up on the stage. But in a way Iwas glad that I did because it looked like nearly everyone raised their hands. It was totally amazing.
Now here’s the best part of the whole night-even better than how fantastic it felt to play to a crowd who by all appearances loved us. Among the kids at the concert (and a lot of them were friends from school) I had spotted Marissa and Jake standing with Cesar, and I’m guessing he brought them. AND when Greg made his invitation, all three of them raised their hands.
Now, I’m not positive this really means something. It’s entirely possible they were just reacting to peer pressure and didn’t want to feel left out for being the only ones not responding. Only God knows for sure. But I am believing they meant it. And I’m praying for all of them—that they’ll take it seriously.
It’s funny though, because not long ago I really wanted school to be over and done with. But now, after seeing all these particular kids raise their hands, I’m not so sure. It makes me kind of sad to think we’ve got less than two weeks left. I guess we’ll have to think of some fun things to do with everyone this summer. Something to encourage them to hang in there. Maybe Greg will have some ideas.
I got to talk to Josh and Caitlin for a little while after the concert. They were both headingback to their colleges since it’s the week before finals, and it sounds as if they’ve got a lot of studying to do. In light of that, I’m really impressed that they came at all. I couldn’t help but watch them as they spoke to each other. I was worried they might act kind of stiff and formal, considering what they went through last winter. But to my relief they acted like old friends. They even hugged each other (and me) when it was time to go. I’m so glad Josh isn’t mad about her breaking up with him anymore.
“Can you believe it’s been two years since we lost Clay?” he said to Caitlin.
“In some ways it seems like it happened just a few weeks
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